Portable fuel-fired cooking appliance

ABSTRACT

A portable self-contained fuel-fired cooking appliance ( 10 ) for heating food stuffs that does not have an exposed flame and is useable in all weather conditions The cooking appliance includes a base ( 12 ) with peripheral side walls ( 18 ), a handle ( 46 ), legs ( 58 ) and an open top ( 26 ), a heat source ( 32 ) positioned in the base ( 12 ), a cooking pan ( 30 ) removably received in the base, a lid ( 31 ) received on the pan and a gas supplying container ( 50 ) The base ( 12 ) also includes at least one air inlet passage ( 34 ), one air exit passage ( 36 ) and air baffles ( 40 ).

The present invention relates generally to portable cooking appliances.More particularly, relating to a portable, self-contained fuel-firedcooking appliance for cooking any kind of foodstuff.

A number of portable fuel-fired cooking appliances for heatingfoodstuffs have been devised. Most of them, however, have an exposedflame that can present a safety hazard and that are subjected toweather, and therefore can be used only under limited conditions. Forexample when the flame would not be extinguished from wind, rain or snowor when an exposed flame does not be a hazard. Other known types ofportable fuel-fired cooking appliances are relatively bulky, andtherefore inconvenient to carry.

An object of the present invention is therefore to remedy thedeficiencies and inconveniences of the known portable, fuel-firedcooking appliances by providing an improved portable, fuel-fired cookingappliance that can be used under all weather conditions, does not havean exposed flame, is not bulky and therefore easy to transport andoperate, and which is simple in construction making the portable.

In general, in one aspect, cooking appliance is provided that includes abase having a bottom, peripheral sidewall extending upwardly from thebottom, and an open top extending into an open interior space defined bythe bottom and the sidewall. A cooking pan is removably received by thebase through the open top such that a bottom surface of the cooking panis disposed a distance above the bottom of the base. A heat source ispositionable within the interior space and approximate the bottomsurface of the cooking pan. The base defining at least one firstair-inlet passage through the bottom thereof at a position outwardly ofthe heat source. The base defining at least one air-exit passage throughthe sidewall thereof at a position below the bottom surface of thecooking pan.

In general, in another aspect a portable cooking appliance is providedthat includes a base of generally rectangular shape. The base having abottom, a first and second pair of opposed sidewalls extending upwardlyfrom the bottom, and an open top extending into an open interior spacedefined by the bottom and the first and second pair of opposedsidewalls. A cooking pan removably received by the base through the opentop such that a bottom surface of the cooking pan is disposed a distanceabove the bottom of the base. A fuel-fired burner centrally positionedwithin the interior space and approximate the bottom surface of thecooking pan. The bottom of the base defining a plurality of spacedair-inlet openings therethrough at a position outwardly of thefuel-fired burner. One sidewall of the first pair of opposed sidewallsdefining at least one air-exit passage therethrough at a position belowthe bottom surface of the cooking pan. A support means for supportingthe base above a support surface.

In general, in another aspect a portable cooking appliance is providedthat includes a base of generally rectangular shape. The base having abottom, a first and second pair of opposed sidewalls extending upwardlyfrom the bottom, and an open top extending into an open interior spacedefined by the bottom and the first and second pair of opposedsidewalls. A cooking pan removably received by the base through the opentop such that a bottom surface of the cooking pan is disposed a distanceabove the bottom of the base. The bottom of the base defining acentrally disposed fuel receiving recess having a peripheral sidewalldepending downwardly from the bottom and terminating at a supportsurface. The bottom of the base defining a plurality of spaced air-inletopenings therethrough at a position outwardly of the fuel receivingrecess. One sidewall of the first pair of opposed sidewalls defining atleast one air-exit passage therethrough at a position below the bottomsurface of the cooking pan. A support means for supporting the baseabove a support surface.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbe readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a readingof the following detailed description of presently preferred, butnonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention iscapable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions andshould not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantagesand the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be hadto the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there isillustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first embodiment of theportable, self-contained fuel-fired cooking appliance constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic top view of the base of the first embodimentshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second embodiment of theportable, self-contained fuel-fired cooking appliance constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic top view of the base of the second embodimentshown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8.

The portable, self-contained fuel-fired cooking appliance illustrated inthe accompanying drawings is particularly useful for heating foodstuffsand cooking under all weather conditions or when an exposed flame maypresent a hazard.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown a cooking appliance 10comprising a base 12, a cooking container 30, and a lid 31 forselectively covering the cooking container. The base 12 includes abottom 16 and a peripheral sidewall 18 extending upwardly therefrom. Inthe exemplary embodiment shown, the base 12 is generally rectangularshaped and the sidewall 18 comprises two pairs of opposed sidewalls 20and 22. The top face of the base 10 comprises an opening 26 into acompartment 28 adapted to accommodate the container 30, such as arectangular cooking pan. The container 30 is removably insertable intothe compartment 28 through opening 26 and supported therein such thatthe bottom of the container is disposed above the bottom 16. A pair ofhandles are attached to opposed walls of the container to facilitate thelifting and inserting of the container into and out of the compartment28. The lid 31 also includes a pair of handles attached to opposed wallsof the lid to facilitate the covering of the container.

A gas burner 32 is centrally disposed within the compartment 28 belowthe container 30 and is operated to heat the container, thereby heatingor cooking of any foodstuff. Combustion supporting air inlets 34 areformed through the bottom 16 along at least one side of the gas burner32. The air inlets 34 permit atmospheric air to enter the compartment 28to support the combustion of a gas by the gas burner 32. The air inlets34 may be formed through the bottom 16 along opposed sides of the gasburner 32.

Air exit openings 36 are formed through one sidewall 20 of the firstpair of opposed sidewalls 20 at a position below the container 30. Theair exit openings 36 allow combustion gases within the compartment 28 toescape towards the outside atmosphere. The air exit openings 30 areformed through the sidewall 20 opposite the side a user would typicallybe in order to prevent injury to the user from the hot combustion gasesflowing outward from the air exit openings 36.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, secondary combustion supporting airinlets 38 are formed through at least one sidewall 22 of the second pairof opposed sidewalls 22 at a position below the container 30. Ideally,the secondary combustion air inlets 38 are formed through both sidewalls22. A pair of baffles 40 are disposed within the compartment 28 at aposition inwardly of each sidewall 22 respectively. Each baffle 40 isattached at an upper end thereof to the respective sidewall 22 and formsa channel 42 therewith through which atmospheric air entering thesecondary combustion supporting inlets 38 is directed downwardly to anelevation that is below the air exit openings 36 and above or aboutlevel with the top of the gas burner 32. The baffles 40 while shown asbeing separate of the housing 12 can be formed integrally therewith. Thebaffles 40 or in other words the channeling of atmospheric air throughchannels 42 permits delivery of combustion supporting air to the gasburner 32, which otherwise would have to flow against the upwardconvection current of the hot combustion gas flowing outward of the airexit openings 36. Further, the channeling of the atmospheric air throughchannels 42 prevents the gas burner from being extinguished by a gust ofwind.

Further, a shoulder or lip 41 can extend from the upper end of eachbaffle 40 inwardly into the compartment 28 for supporting the container30 thereon as shown in FIG. 3.

With reference to FIG. 4, extending from the sidewall 20 opposite thesidewall through which the air exit openings 36 are formed is a handle46 made of a heat insulating material. A gas supply line 44 extendsthrough the handle 46 from a distal end thereof to the gas burner 32. Afitting 48 disposed at the distal end of the handle 42 permits theconnection of a gas-supplying container 50 of a pressurized gas, such aspropane, to the gas supply line 44 for feeding gas under pressure to thegas burner 32. A control valve 52 is disposed between the fitting 48 andthe gas-supplying container 50 for controlling the delivery of gas tothe gas burner 32. The gas-supplying container 50 is normally sealedduring filling, which seal must be broken when the container is first tobe used. For this purpose, the fitting 48 may include a pointedprojection (not shown) to facilitate the piercing of the seal fitted tothe gas-supplying container 50 during connection the gas supplycontainer to the fitting.

A piezoelectric or magneto igniter 52 of the type well known in the artis positioned approximate the gas burner 32 and is operated to ignitethe gas burner 32. The igniter 52 includes an ignition button 54 of thetype normally used with a piezoelectric or magneto ignition device thatcan be positioned on the underside of the handle 42. The positioning ofthe ignition button 54 permits a person using one hand to steady thecooking appliance 10 and simultaneously operate the ignition button 54.The igniter 52 and the ignition button 54 are electrically connected bywire 56.

The cooking appliance 10 further includes a support leg 58 attached ateach corner of the bottom 16 of the housing 12. Each leg 58 is heightadjustable and includes a support base 60 that is attached to the bottom16, an extensible leg portion 62 having one end that is threadable intoand out of the support base to permit adjusting the length of the leg58, and a foot pad 64 attached to the opposite end of the leg portion.

According to another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 5-8, a solid fuelsource is used opposed to a gas fuel source. As such, the elementsrequired to support the combustion of the gas fuel are not included.However, the basic construction of the cooking appliance 10 remains thesame and the same reference numerals will be used for the commonelements.

As in the previous embodiment, the cooking appliance 10 comprising abase 12, a cooking container 30, and a lid 31 for selectively coveringthe cooking container. The base 12 includes a bottom 16 and a peripheralsidewall 18 extending upwardly therefrom. In the exemplary embodimentshown, the base 12 is generally rectangular shaped and the sidewall 18comprises two pairs of opposed sidewalls 20 and 22. The top face of thebase 10 comprises an opening 26 into a compartment 28 adapted toaccommodate the container 30, such as a rectangular cooking pan. Thecontainer 30 is removably insertable into the compartment 28 throughopening 26 and supported therein such that the bottom of the containeris disposed above the bottom 16. A pair of handles are attached toopposed walls of the container to facilitate the lifting and insertingof the container into and out of the compartment 28. The lid 31 alsoincludes a pair of handles attached to opposed walls of the lid tofacilitate the covering of the container.

In this embodiment, as best seen in FIGS. 6-8, instead of using a gasfuel source and a burner to combust the gas, a solid fuel element 64 isused. To accommodate the solid fuel 64 a recess 66 is centrally disposedthrough the bottom 16 of the housing 12. The recess 66 can be formed asone with the bottom 16 or can comprise a tray 68 of a material such asmetal or any other material that is not readily combustible. The tray 68is attached to the bottom about a central opening 70 formed through thebottom. In either case, the sidewall 72 of the recess 66 or tray 68 isperforated to permit the ingress of combustion supporting air to thesolid fuel 64. Ideally, only the upper half or portion of the sidewall72 is perforated and the bottom is free of openings to contain the solidfuel 64 within the recess or tray.

Air exit openings 36 are formed through one sidewall 20 of the firstpair of opposed sidewalls 20 at a position below the container 30. Theair exit openings 36 allow combustion gases within the compartment 28 toescape towards the outside atmosphere. The air exit openings 30 areformed through the sidewall 20 opposite the side a user would typicallybe in order to prevent injury to the user from the hot combustion gasesflowing outward from the air exit openings 36.

Combustion supporting air inlets 34 are formed through the bottom 16along at least one side of the recess 66 or tray 68. The air inlets 34permit atmospheric air to enter the compartment 28 to support thecombustion of the solid fuel 64. The air inlets 34 may be formed throughthe bottom 16 along opposed sides of the recess 66 or tray 68.

With particular reference to FIG. 7, secondary combustion supporting airinlets 38 are formed through at least one sidewall 22 of the second pairof opposed sidewalls 22 at a position below the container 30. Ideally,the secondary combustion air inlets 38 are formed through both sidewalls22. A pair of baffles 40 are disposed within the compartment 28 at aposition inwardly of each sidewall 22 respectively. Each baffle 40 isattached at an upper end thereof to the respective sidewall 22 and formsa channel 42 therewith through which atmospheric air entering thesecondary combustion supporting inlets 38 is directed downwardly to anelevation that is below the air exit openings 36 and above or aboutlevel with the top of the solid fuel 64. The baffles 40 while shown asbeing separate of the housing 12 can be formed integrally therewith. Thebaffles 40 or in other words the channeling of atmospheric air throughchannels 42 permits delivery of combustion supporting air to the solidfuel 64, which otherwise would have to flow against the upwardconvection current of the hot combustion gas flowing outward of the airexit openings 36. Further, the channeling of the atmospheric air throughchannels 42 prevents the solid fuel 64 from being extinguished by a gustof wind. Further, a shoulder or lip 41 can extend from the upper end ofeach baffle 40 inwardly into the compartment 28 for supporting thecontainer 30 thereon as shown in FIG. 3.

With particular reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, this embodiment differsfurther in that the handle 46′ is removably attached to the sidewall 20of the base 12. In one example, a support plate 74 extends outwardlyfrom the sidewall 20 and includes a through hole 76 formed therethrough.A slot 78 extends from the forward end of the plate 74 and intersectswith the through hole 76. The width of the slot 78 is less than thediameter of the through hole 76. The handle end 78 includes a horizontalslot 80 into which the support plate 74 is removably received. Avertical pin 82 intersect the slot 80 and is held slidably captive bythe handle end 78 such that the pin can translate vertically in bothdirections. The upper portion of the pin 82 has a diameter equal to thewidth of slot 78 and the lower portion of the pin has a diameter equalto the through hole 76. The pin 82 is spring biased upwardly such thatthe lower portion of the pin 82 intersects the slot 80. The upperportion the pin 82 extends beyond the handle 46′ a distance such thatpressing down on the pin causes the pin to move downwardly intersectingthe upper portion of the pin with the slot 80.

In operation, the handle 42′ is attached to the base 12 by pressing downon the pin 82 so as to intersect the upper portion of the pin with slot80. In this position, the upper portion of the pin 82 having a diameterequal to the slot 78 permits the plate 74 to be inserted into slot 80 bypassing pin along slot 78 until the pin reaches the through hole 76.Once the pin 82 is aligned with the through hole 76, the pin is releasedand is spring biased upwardly aligning the lower portion of the pin withthe through hole. The lower portion of the pin 82 having a diameterequal to the through hole 76 prevents the pin 82 from being cable ofpassing along slot 78, thereby locking the handle 42′ to the plate 74.

A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the followingclaims.

1. A cooking appliance comprising: a base, said base having a bottom,peripheral sidewall extending upwardly from said bottom, and an open topextending into an open interior space defined by said bottom and saidsidewall; a cooking pan removably received by said base through saidopen top such that a bottom surface of said cooking pan is disposed adistance above said bottom of said base; a heat source positionablewithin said interior space and approximate said bottom surface of saidcooking pan; said base defining at least one first air-inlet passagethrough said bottom thereof at a position outwardly of said heat source;and said base defining at least one air-exit passage through saidsidewall thereof at a position below said bottom surface of said cookingpan.
 2. The cooking appliance of claim 1, further comprising: an airdirecting baffle; said base defining at least one second air-inletpassage through said sidewall thereof at a position below said bottomsurface of said cooking pan; and wherein said air directing baffle ispositioned at a spaced distance inwardly of said at least one secondair-inlet which directs air entering said at least one second air-inletto a position above said bottom of said base.
 3. The cooking applianceof claim 1, wherein: said heating source is a fuel-fired burner.
 4. Thecooking appliance of claim 3, wherein said fuel-fired burner ispositioned within said interior space upwardly through a centrallydisposed opening formed through said bottom of said base.
 5. The cookingappliance of claim 4, wherein said at least one air-inlet passagecomprises a plurality of holes spaced about said centrally disposedopening through said base.
 6. The cooking appliance of claim 2 furthercomprising: a source of fuel connected to said burner; and a means tocontrol a quantity of said source of fuel delivered to said fuel-firedburner.
 7. The cooking appliance of claim 6, further comprising: ahandle attached to and extending from said base; and wherein said sourceof fuel is removably attachable to a fuel supply line extending throughsaid handle to said fuel-fired burner.
 8. The cooking appliance of claim1, wherein said support means includes: a plurality of legs attached toand extending downwardly from said base.
 9. The cooking appliance ofclaim 8, wherein each of said plurality of legs are height adjustable.10. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein said heat source is acombustible solid fuel.
 11. The cooking appliance of claim 10, whereinsaid bottom of said base defines a centrally disposed recess forremovably receiving said combustible solid fuel.
 12. The cookingappliance of claim 11, wherein a plurality of apertures are formedthrough a sidewall of said centrally disposed recess.
 13. A portablecooking appliance comprising: a base of generally rectangular shape,said base having a bottom, a first and second pair of opposed sidewallsextending upwardly from said bottom, and an open top extending into anopen interior space defined by said bottom and said first and secondpair of opposed sidewalls; a cooking pan removably received by said basethrough said open top such that a bottom surface of said cooking pan isdisposed a distance above said bottom of said base; a fuel-fired burnercentrally positioned within said interior space and approximate saidbottom surface of said cooking pan; said bottom of said base defining aplurality of spaced air-inlet openings therethrough at a positionoutwardly of said fuel-fired burner; one sidewall of said first pair ofopposed sidewalls defining at least one air-exit passage therethrough ata position below said bottom surface of said cooking pan; and a supportmeans for supporting said base above a support surface.
 14. The portablecooking appliance of claim 13, further comprising: an air directingbaffle; said base defining at least one second air-inlet passage throughone sidewall of said second pair of opposed sidewalls thereof at aposition below said bottom surface of said cooking pan; and wherein saidair directing baffle is positioned at a spaced distance inwardly of saidat least one second air-inlet which directs air entering said at leastone second air-inlet passage to a position above said bottom of saidbase and below said at least one air exit passage.
 15. The portablecooking appliance of claim 13, further comprising: first and second airdirecting baffles; said base defining at least one second air-inletpassage through each sidewall of said second pair of opposed sidewallsthereof at a position below said bottom surface of said cooking pan; andwherein said first and second air directing baffles are positioned at aspace distance inwardly of said at least one second air-inlet passageformed through each sidewall of said second pair of opposed sidewallsrespectively, and which direct air entering each of said at least onesecond air-inlet passages to a position above said bottom of said baseand below said at least one air-exit passage.
 16. The portable cookingappliance of claim 13, further comprising: a handle attached to thesecond sidewall of said first pair of apposed sidewalls; a fuel linedisposed within said handle and extending from the end of said handle tosaid fuel-fired burner; a supply of fuel releasably attachable to saidfuel line at said end of said handle; and a means for controlling thedelivery of fuel from said supply of fuel to said fuel-fired burner. 17.The portable cooking appliance of claim 16, further comprising: anelectric ignition device for igniting said fuel-fired burner.
 18. Aportable cooking appliance comprising: a base of generally rectangularshape, said base having a bottom, a first and second pair of opposedsidewalls extending upwardly from said bottom, and an open top extendinginto an open interior space defined by said bottom and said first andsecond pair of opposed sidewalls; a cooking pan removably received bysaid base through said open top such that a bottom surface of saidcooking pan is disposed a distance above said bottom of said base; saidbottom of said base defining a centrally disposed fuel receiving recesshaving a peripheral sidewall depending downwardly from said bottom andterminating at a support surface; said bottom of said base defining aplurality of spaced air-inlet openings therethrough at a positionoutwardly of said fuel receiving recess; one sidewall of said first pairof opposed sidewalls defining at least one air-exit passage therethroughat a position below said bottom surface of said cooking pan; and asupport means for supporting said base above a support surface.
 19. Theportable cooking appliance of claim 18, wherein said peripheral sidewallof said fuel receiving recess defines a plurality of aperturestherethrough.
 20. The portable cooking appliance of claim 18, furthercomprising: first and second air directing baffles; said base definingat least one second air-inlet passage through each sidewall of saidsecond pair of opposed sidewalls thereof at a position below said bottomsurface of said cooking pan; and wherein said first and second airdirecting baffles are positioned at a space distance inwardly of said atleast one second air-inlet passage formed through each sidewall of saidsecond pair of opposed sidewalls respectively, and which direct airentering each of said at least one second air-inlet passages to aposition above said bottom of said base and below said at least oneair-exit passage.